Insect Rearing Technician

Position: Seasonal Insectary Technician

Start Date: ASAP

Length: 6-Month Contract

Location: Onsite (Union City, TN)

BASE INSECTARY WORK

The person taking this position will assist in the rearing of insects for research purposes.

Environment:

Laboratory/office/Chamber environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Work may involve long periods of standing or sitting and handling different insect life stages. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This individual must have the ability to pass a physical and pulmonary fit test for respirator use and have the ability to lift 45 pounds. Must have the ability to work for long periods of time in insect rearing rooms under warm and humid conditions (80 °F and 60% RH). Steady hands and not have an aversion to the odors put off by insects or be allergic to them.

Tasks Include:

Duties and responsibilities include: insect colony maintenance (feeding, cleaning cages, diet prep, etc.), greenhouse activities, assisting with laboratory experiments, supporting field research (data collection, weed removal, infesting trials, etc.), following and maintaining the ISO Quality Management Standards, wearing proper PPE and taking proper safety precautions while working in the lab and potentially field.

In addition, this individual must have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced global and multi-cultural environment. Required education is high school diploma or equivalent (GED). One year of related experience and/or training preferred.

SKILLED INSECTARY WORKER

Environment:

Laboratory/office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to manipulate objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear. Work may involve long periods of standing or sitting and handling different insect life stages. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. This individual must have the ability to pass a physical and pulmonary fit test for respirator use and have the ability to lift 45 pounds. Must have the ability to work for long periods of time in insect rearing rooms under hot and humid conditions (80 °F and 60% RH). Steady hands and not have an aversion to the odors put off by insects or be allergic to them.

Tasks Include:

Duties and responsibilities include: insect colony maintenance (feeding, cleaning cages, diet prep, etc.), greenhouse activities, assisting with laboratory experiments, supporting field research (data collection, weed removal, infesting trials, etc.), following and maintaining the ISO Quality Management Standards, wearing proper PPE and taking proper safety precautions while working in the lab and potentially field.

In addition, this individual must have excellent communication skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced global and multi-cultural environment. Must be capable of working independently to organizing and plan workflow as needed to complete tasks on time and while maintaining high quality. Collaborate across insectary personnel to ensure space and consumables availability. Demonstrates initiative to identify problems before they arise. Clearly communicates the identified problems to appropriate personnel. Works proactively to improve workflow efficiency.

Bachelors or Masters with one year of related experience and/or training preferred.